Ideas Have Consequences

Are we experiencing a spiritual revival—or facing a full-blown discipleship crisis in the American church? In this powerful conversation, renowned researcher Dr. George Barna shares alarming new data and challenges us to rethink how we measure spiritual health and make disciples in a post-Christian culture.

Main Topics

• The Decline of Belief in the God of the Bible
  • The fastest-growing spiritual segment in America is now the “don’ts”—those who don’t know, don’t believe, or don’t care if God exists.
  • Barna reveals a 30-year decline in belief in the God of the Bible.
• Why Discipleship Metrics Are Failing
  • Most churches track attendance, programs, and budgets—but not spiritual transformation.
  • Barna outlines six biblical criteria for true discipleship based on Jesus’ teachings.
  • Only 1 in 10 born-again Christians actively disciples others.
• The Crucial Role of Children’s Ministry and Worldview Formation
  • A child's worldview is largely formed by age 13, starting as early as 15–18 months.
  • Only 12% of children’s pastors have a biblical worldview themselves.
  • Barna’s "Seven Cornerstones" research shows that rejecting even one foundational belief drops the likelihood of a biblical worldview from 83% to just 2%.

What if the greatest threat to the church today isn’t cultural hostility—but our failure to make true disciples?

• View the transcript, leave comments, and check out recommended resources on the Episode Landing Page!
• Learn More about the 2025 DNA Forum in Panama

Amid a surge in antisemitism and confusion about Israel’s role in the world, Dr. Jeff Myers of Summit Ministries joins us to share insights from his recent trip to Israel and his new book Should Christians Support Israel? We explore the troubling rise of anti-Israel sentiment among young Americans, theological misconceptions within the Church, and how a biblical worldview can guide Christians to respond with both truth and compassion.

Main Topics

1. The Rise of Antisemitism – Why anti-Jewish hatred is surging in the U.S., especially among younger generations.
2. Theological Confusion About Israel – Common Christian misconceptions about God’s covenant with the Jewish people and salvation.
3. Geopolitics vs. Theopolitics – Understanding the spiritual dimensions behind the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and why peace efforts often fail.

Let’s learn how to respond to the rise of antisemitism and the controversy surrounding Israel.

• View the transcript, leave comments, and check out recommended resources on the Episode Landing Page!
• Learn More about the 2025 DNA Forum in Panama.

What if the key to transforming communities isn’t money, resources, or even a buttoned-up theology—but something far more foundational?

In this special episode, we’re giving you a taste of the kind of teaching you’ll experience at the upcoming DNA Forum this August in Panama City, Panama. Join us as we revisit a compelling keynote from our last Forum, delivered by one of DNA’s most influential trainers, Arturo Cuba.

Drawing from over two decades of grassroots discipleship in rural Latin America, Cuba challenges conventional evangelical thinking with bold clarity: “People do not live out of theologies. People live out of the things that make sense in their lives.” His message unpacks how biblical principles—taught as life-shaping truths rather than abstract theology—have the power to bring deep, lasting change.

Want more of this kind of insight? You don't want to miss the 2025 DNA Forum happening August 4–8 in Panama City, Panama. Our theme: The Essential Role of the Local Church in Discipling Nations. 

• DNA Forum 2025—This is an invitation-only event. Learn more or request an invitation at  disciplenations.org/forum2025.

AI offers incredible potential, from accelerating Bible translation to combating human trafficking and much more – but what else is at stake?

Is AI dehumanizing you? If we're not careful, the mind-blowing capabilities of artificial intelligence will lure us into surrendering our discernment, knowledge, and intellect to this new pseudo-intelligence. Beyond information, people are turning to AI for companionship, while some want AI and technology to extend lifespan in a search for immortality.

Today, we're joined by a fascinating guest: Brian Johnson, who brings over 30 years of leadership in emerging technology and cybersecurity to the table. He offers uniquely Christian perspectives on AI’s rapid rise and profound impact on humanity.

Johnson helps us understand the last 50 years of technological development and explains the recent seismic shift from an "attention economy" to a "relational economy," where AI no longer just captures your focus—it mimics human relationships and connection. This raises deep questions about human identity and humanity’s age-old temptation to "become like God" through our own creations.

Despite these dangers, this conversation is filled with hope. Brian shares how Christians can and should engage AI wisely—using it for Kingdom purposes. If you're ready to think deeply about faith, technology, and what it means to be human in an AI-driven world, this episode will equip and encourage you to stay grounded in God's unchanging truth.

• View the transcript, leave comments, and check out recommended resources on the Episode Landing Page!
• Learn More about 10 Words to Heal Our Broken World

Is it enough to champion biblical principles without knowing the God behind them? What happens when thousands of leaders—Christian and non-Christian alike—gather around biblical principles to reimagine the future of Western civilization? Today, Katherine Gallagher takes us behind the scenes of the rapidly growing Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (ARC) conference in London to find out. Founded by Jordan Peterson and others, ARC set itself up as an alternative to the World Economic Forum; ARC is tapping into a global hunger for truth, meaning, and renewal. But again, can principles alone bring lasting change without the Person behind them?

Main Topics

• Principles vs. Person – Exploring the tension between shared moral values and the need for spiritual transformation through Christ
• Jordan Peterson's emphasis on self-sacrificial servant leadership but lack of open faith in the Sustainer of these virtues
• Biblical principles work whether people acknowledge their divine source or not
• Sustainable transformation requires both good ideas and changed hearts

Cultural or civilizational transformation requires both biblical ideas and transformed hearts; as Katherine put it, "Truth is a person, not just principles."

• View the transcript, leave comments, and check out recommended resources on the Episode Landing Page!
• Learn More about 10 Words to Heal Our Broken World

The resurrection of Jesus isn't just a promise of life after death—it's the power to live as we were created to in the Garden. In this Easter conversation, we explore how Christ's victory over the grave restores not only our relationship with God, but also makes possible our original calling to steward creation, pursue justice, and do good in the world.

Too often, Christians see salvation as an escape from judgment rather than an invitation to meaningful participation in God's redemptive work. Let's remember that the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead now lives in us and can help us live out God's design in every part of our lives, vocations, relationships, and communities.

Main Topics:

• The resurrection as restoration of our original purpose
• How the Holy Spirit empowers us to live out God's design
• Why this world—and what we do in it—deeply matters to God

Join us as we draw from Scripture and real-world examples to unpack what it means that Christ is reconciling all things to Himself and how your everyday actions can reflect the coming Kingdom. From conflict resolution to creativity, your life now carries eternal significance.

• View the transcript, leave comments, and check out recommended resources on the Episode Landing Page!

A secular worldview shaped the West since the Enlightenment–but it’s beginning to unravel. Dr. Bob Osburn talks with us about why postmodern ideologies are collapsing—and how Christianity offers a compelling return to reality. This is a timely conversation for anyone wondering how the church can rise to meet our cultural moment with clarity, courage, and hope.

Main Topics:

1. The Decline of Secular Ideologies – Why movements like DEI and “wokeism” are fading and what it reveals about our cultural foundations
2. Christianity as a Return to Reality – How biblical truth offers a framework for human dignity, freedom, and flourishing
3. The Church’s Opportunity – Why now is the time for Christians to engage culture with a holistic, Scripture-rooted worldview

• View the transcript, leave comments, and check out recommended resources on the Episode Landing Page!
• Learn More about the 10 Words to Heal Our Broken World Bible Study

Kids today are bombarded with competing worldviews, shaping their beliefs long before adulthood. Despite growing up in Christian homes, many adopt cultural thinking and values that run contrary to biblical truth. This week, we sit down with Elizabeth Urbanowicz, founder of Foundation Worldview, to discuss how parents and educators can really equip children to think biblically and critically about the ideas they encounter daily.

What you will hear:

• Why traditional discipleship often falls short in today’s culture
• How to teach kids to distinguish between truth, falsehood, and feelings
• Practical steps for parents to build a strong biblical foundation

If you’re wondering how to prepare the next generation to stand firm in truth, this episode is a must-listen!

• View the transcript, leave comments, and check out recommended resources on the Episode Landing Page!
• Learn More about the 10 Words to Heal Our Broken World Bible Study

Be sure to checkout Foundation Worldview's curriculum for homeschool, church, and Christian schools which can transform your child's thinking from blind belief to critical, evidence-based faith. Their easy-to-use, video-based lessons are designed to equip your child with biblical literacy and critical thinking skills, so their faith in Christ remains strong into adulthood. Use discount code IDEAS10 to save $10 on a family license.

Cultural and political debates around DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and climate change dominate headlines—but what deeper ideas are fueling these movements? Why did these ideas gain such traction, and how should Christians respond? Instead of impulsively reacting to the latest controversies, we explore how to replace false ideas with biblical truth, offering a transformative alternative for meaningful change. Darrell Harrison is the lead host of the well-known Just Thinking podcast and a fellow at the Black Theology and Leadership Institute at Princeton Theological Seminary. He helps us move beyond surface-level arguments and uncover the worldviews shaping these narratives.

• View the transcript, leave comments, and check out recommended resources on the Episode Landing Page!

AI is here—it’s reshaping how we see ourselves and our place in the world. In this episode, we use a biblical lens to wrestle with big questions raised by AI. What worldviews are shaping its development? How might it impact our relationship with God, others, ourselves, and even creation?

AI brings both promise and concern—offering breakthroughs in almost every industry while also challenging creativity, work, and human connection. Rather than reacting with fear or blind optimism, let's explore together how to think critically about AI and its role in our lives. How can we approach this new reality with discernment and faith?

• View the transcript, leave comments, and check out recommended resources on the Episode Landing Page!